SPD is basically a traffic jam of information in your 8 senses (yes, we actually have 8 senses…I know right???). These senses need help sorting out all the information and confusion through therapy. For example, Whitney and Wade are extremely sensitive to textures. Like clothing, tags in clothing, seams, but also things like sand, glitter, lace, even temperatures! Whitney and Wes both have difficulties with their vestibular systems. For example, Whitney does not get dizzy, where Wes has no perception of where his body is in space so he is very afraid of heights and “dangerous” activities. Whitney’s inner ear juice is like pudding, so she spins for 3 minutes every morning and night in her swing to help get the pudding moving. This spinning motion also helps calm her. Whereas, Wes’ inner ear juice is like a tidal wave…he gets very motion/car sick, extremely dizzy easily, and has a difficult time with balance, making him feel like he’s falling. This is why he avoids “dangerous” activities like climbing because to his body, he feels like he has no control and could easily fall.
These are just a few examples of my children’s difficulties. Here is a great resource to help gain a more in depth understanding of SPD:
https://www.spdstar.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder
Being a Special Education Teacher, I was shocked that I had no clue about this disorder…like… I had NEVER heard of such a thing!! So, what made me question Whitney’s normalcy started with her clothes and avoidance to certain activities and games that other children had no issues with. The moment she was born, she avoided rougher textures on her skin, which I didn’t think was abnormal…mostly because she was my first and I had no clue, and also because she was a baby with delicate skin. But when she would scream in terror at a zipper (particularly gold zippers), a tag, lace, or a “warm” bath, I knew something was off. For many years I just avoided certain clothes and shook it off that it was just “her thing”. But in pre-school and kindergarten, she would start avoiding games and activities like play dough, sand boxes, or even giving hugs to people who wore zippers. That’s when I knew there was an issue.
Here is a comprehensive symptoms checklist:
https://www.spdstar.org/basic/symptoms-checklist
Always start with your pediatrician. Make sure there isn’t something else going on. Your doctor should be able to refer you to the correct professionals that would test, diagnose, and help.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!
OT’s are magical people. They have answers to problems you may have given up trying to solve. They help with all types of issues, including feeding issues for extremely picky eaters (which I had no idea!). We go to a facility that has 6 gyms, 3 kitchens, lots of play areas, and also speech therapy. Whitney, for example, requires LOTS of movement in the gyms. She spins, jumps, climbs, but more importantly is learning how to control her body, use her muscles in ways she was lacking, and be able to problem solve without being so impulsive. Wes is also learning how to control his body so he doesn’t feel out-of-control, but he also sees a speech therapist for perception taking. Wade has consults every few months to monitor his sensitivities. But at this point, he and Whitney are so similar I just do the same things at home for him that I do for her and right now that is working. Here is a link to resources that explain ALL the treatments for SPD:
https://www.spdstar.org/landing-page/treatment
The most important thing to remember about home activities is that they should be helpful for your child. You may find activities online, including my website, that may not be what your child needs. I think the first step to helping any child is to be scheduled, organized, and planned. Structure is safety in the life of any kid, which can start to ease some of the anxieties. Also, listen to what your kid is saying. You may like that cute little outfit, but it’s not worth a meltdown if they don’t want to wear it. You may have loved gymnastics or insert any sport, but they are not you. Start small, and wait for the professionals to help guide you with the rest.
Here are some more ideas for home activities:
